Heat a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat; add beef and cook, breaking up with spoon, until cooked through.
Add fresh onion, fresh garlic and red bell pepper and cook for 3 to 4 minutes longer.
Add beans, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and red chili flakes, stirring to combine. Cover and cook on low heat for 30 minutes to 1 hour, or longer in a slow cooker if desired.
Season with salt and pepper. Serve in bowls topped with grated cheese and other garnishes.
*If you prefer less spice, reduce the red chili flakes to ½ teaspoon.
Make it a Meal: Serve with a crispy green salad and whole wheat tortilla on the side.
Talking Points: Some chili recipes don’t call for beans, but beans add a lot of nutrition to each serving. Kidney beans are legumes, which are considered part of both the vegetable and the protein food groups. They are also a good source of complex carbohydrates, folate and iron and are also low in fat.
Ingredients
Directions
Heat a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat; add beef and cook, breaking up with spoon, until cooked through.
Add fresh onion, fresh garlic and red bell pepper and cook for 3 to 4 minutes longer.
Add beans, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and red chili flakes, stirring to combine. Cover and cook on low heat for 30 minutes to 1 hour, or longer in a slow cooker if desired.
Season with salt and pepper. Serve in bowls topped with grated cheese and other garnishes.